If Bulgaria doesn’t pass its 2025 budget by January 19, the country will grind to a halt, according to DarikNews. Political parties have differing views on the budget, with some calling it a “18 billion levs hole”, others finding it “inflated by 5 billion levs”, and others hoping it will “benefit the people”. An expert from Dnevnik suggests the minimum wage should increase at a rate that keeps pace with inflation. Focusing on the budget, BTV reports that people in the private sector will see much smaller increases in income compared to those in the public sector. While outgoing Finance Minister Assen Vassilev claims the budget is executable and realistic, opposition leader Kiril Petkov calls it “easy to be a wooden philosopher”.
Title: KNSB Warns of Nationwide Shutdown if 2025 Budget Not Approved by January 19 – English Version
DarikNews
Bulgaria’s Council for Tripartite Cooperation (KNSB) has issued a stark warning, stating that if the 2025 budget is not approved by January 19, the entire country could face a shutdown.
The KNSB, which brings together representatives of the government, employers, and trade unions, made this announcement during its recent session. The panel discussed the government’s draft budget for 2025 and expressed its grave concern regarding the delayed approval process.
Under Bulgaria’s Budget Act, the National Assembly must approve the budget for the following year by December 31. However, due to the complex negotiations and political differences, this year’s budget approval process has been prolonged.
The KNSB cautioned that if the budget is not approved by January 19, funds for public administration, healthcare, education, social welfare, and other public services would run out. This could potentially lead to a nationwide shutdown, with severe implications for daily life and the economy.
Problems could arise in the following areas, according to the KNSB:
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Payment of State Salaries and Pensions: Without a budget, the state would struggle to pay salaries to public-sector employees, sociale benefactors, and pensions, which would be catastrophic for millions of Bulgarians.
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Healthcare Services: Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities would have difficulty operating, potentially leading to disruption in medical services and care.
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Education: Schools and universities could face closures or disruptions in their schedules, affecting millions of students.
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Public Transportation: Lack of funding could lead to reduced public transportation services or even halts, impacting citizens’ daily commute and businesses’ operations.
- Economic Stagnation: A nationwide shutdown could result in a significant slowdown in economic growth, further hurting businesses and households.
The KNSB called on the government and the National Assembly to expedite the budget approval process, emphasizing that approve a 2025 Budget before the January 19 deadline is a prerequisite for the uninterrupted operation of the state and the normal life of Bulgarian citizens.
